To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide
grants for core curriculum development.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 13, 2011

Ms. WOOLSEY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Education and the Workforce

A BILL

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide
grants for core curriculum development.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Access to Complete Education Act'.

SEC. 2. NEW PART I (CORE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT).

(a) In General- Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
is amended by redesignating part I as J and inserting after part H the following:

`PART I--CORE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

`SEC. 1851. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.

`(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to support systemic, comprehensive
education reform by strengthening the instruction of music and arts, foreign
languages, civics and government, economics, history, geography, and physical
education and health as an integral part of the elementary and secondary school
curriculum.

`(b) Authority- The Secretary is authorized to award grants to local educational
agencies to promote and strengthen one or more of the subjects specified in
subsection (a) as an integral part of the elementary school and secondary
school curriculum.

`(c) Application- To seek a grant under this section, a local educational
agency shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

`(d) Priority- In awarding grants to local educational agencies under this
section, the Secretary shall give priority to local educational agencies with
greater--

`(1) numbers of children who are counted under section 1124(c); and

`(2) percentages of children from families below the poverty line.

`(e) Use of Funds- Funds may be used to expand access to the subjects specified
in subsection (a) by--

`(1) expanding the amount of instructional time on these subjects;

`(2) providing for curriculum development that is aligned with State standards
where relevant;

`(3) providing essential materials and textbooks that are aligned with State
standards where relevant;

`(4) partnering with Federal, State, and community-based organizations and
institutions to increase student learning in these subjects;

`(5) providing professional development to ensure curricula are implemented
effectively; and

`(6) creating and using formative assessments where appropriate to advance
student achievement and improve instruction.

`(f) Conditions- As a condition of receiving assistance made available under
this section, the Secretary shall require each local educational agency receiving
such assistance--

`(1) to coordinate, to the extent practicable, each project or program carried
out with such assistance with appropriate activities of public or private
cultural agencies, institutions, and organizations, including museums, education
associations, libraries, and theaters; and

`(2) to use such assistance only to supplement, and not to supplant, any
other assistance or funds made available from non-Federal sources for the
activities assisted under this section.

`(g) Evaluations-

`(1) IN GENERAL- Each local educational agency that receives funds under
this section shall provide the Secretary, at the conclusion of every fiscal
year during which the funds are received, with an evaluation, in a form
prescribed by the Secretary. This evaluation shall include--

`(A) a description of the programs and activities conducted by the local
educational agency with funds received;

`(B) data on curriculum and partnerships developed;

`(C) data on the amount of time spent on subjects allowed for under the
grant; and

`(D) other information as determined by the Secretary.

`(2) USE OF EVALUATION- An evaluation provided by a local educational agency
shall be used by the local educational agency and the State educational
agency for improvement of programs and activities.

`(h) Consultation- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult
with relevant Federal and State agencies or institutions, educators (including
professional education associations), organizations representing subjects
funded under this part.

`(i) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated
for grants under this section the following:

`(1) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.

`(2) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.

`(3) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.

`(4) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2015.

`(5) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2016.

`(6) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.'.

(b) Conforming Amendments- The following provisions of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 are each amended by striking `part I' and
inserting `part J':